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EcoRise Youth Innovations: Eco-Audit (new curriculum sample)

EcoRise Youth Innovations
EcoRise Youth Innovations

This document provides an eco-audit summary for Akins High School conducted by students in partnership with a non-profit organization. It outlines facts about the school such as its student population and diversity. It then analyzes the school's current energy, water, and waste usage and provides recommendations and a 5-year vision plan to make the school greener. This includes reducing energy and water consumption school-wide, increasing recycling and composting efforts, and utilizing unused green space on campus. Quotes from students emphasize their enthusiasm for making positive environmental changes at Akins High School and beyond.

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AKINS HIGH SCHOOL ECO-AUDIT: A STUDENT-LED ROADMAP TO A GREENER, HEALTHIER SCHOOL IN PARTNERSHIP WITH SPRING 2011
FACTS ABOUT AKINS 2700 STUDENTS 80 ACRES BUILT IN 2000 STUDENT-TO-TEACHER RATIO OF 16:1 DIVERSITY 69% LATINO/HISPANIC 17% CAUCASIAN 11% AFRICAN-AMERICAN 3% OTHER STUDENTS ARE EXPOSED TO CAREER PATHWAYS BY ENROLLING IN ONE OF FOLLOWING ACADEMIES: ABLE (ACADEMY OF BUSINESS AND LEGAL ENTERPRISE) AHA (ARTS AND HUMANITIES ACADEMY) SS (SOCIAL SERVICES) ACES (AGRICULTURE, COMPUTER, AND ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES) NTHS (NEW TECH HIGH SCHOOL) T-STEM (TEXAS SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING AND MATHEMATICS) AKINS MISSION STATEMENT The W. Charles Akins High School community educates every student to be self sufficient, strengthens every student to face challenges of mind and heart, and nurtures every student to become a lifelong learner in a diverse world. WHO IS AKINS?
IMPROVE PERFORMANCE INCREASE TEACHER RETENTION AND PRODUCTIVITY SAVE MONEY PROMOTE HEALTH Lower energy and water costs, improved teacher retention, and lower health costs directly save green schools about $12 per square foot, four times the additional cost of going green. Financial savings to the broader community are significantly larger, and include lower air and water pollution, and a better educated and compensated workforce. Green schools use daylighting strategies to create environments that lessen distractions and encourage student participation. Students in classrooms with abundant daylight had up to 25 percent higher learning rates and test scores in reading and math than their peers in rooms with less natural light. Schools with environmental education programs increase critical thinking skills and score higher on standardized tests in math, reading, writing and listening. Teachers can use the building as the basis for project-based, experiential learning and STEM education. Studies show that green schools reduce teacher turnover rates by 3% and increase productivity by 3%. Students in America miss approximately 14 million school days per year because of asthma, which is exacerbated by poor indoor air quality. Lower-income and minority children disproportionately suffer from poor indoor air quality and related problems in conventional schools. They are 30-50% more likely to have respiratory problems that lead to increased absenteeism and diminished learning and test scores. Nurses at green schools report fewer clinic visits, students note less eye-nose-throat irritation and fewer asthma-related incidents. WHY GREEN SCHOOLS? 20% of Americas population spends about six hours a day in a school building. DID YOU KNOW? If all new U.S. school construction and renovation went green today, the total energy savings alone would be $20 billionover the next 10 years. Green school buildings: SAVE 30% of energy costs 50% - 90% of waste-removal costs REDUCE 35% of carbon emissions 30% - 50% of water usage
HOW GREEN ARE WE? ENERGY ELECTRICITY FACTS 3,850,000 ANNUAL KW/HRS $323,000 SPENT ANNUALLY WHAT ARE WE DOING RIGHT? The A/C is kept off when classes are not in session, and the new T-STEM building reduces energy costs by 24%. THAT MONEY COULD BUY 646 LAPTOPS FOR OUR SCHOOL THAT ENERGY COULD POWER THE COWBOYS STADIUM FOR 45 DAYS STRAIGHT THAT ENERGY COULD PROVIDE A YEAR OF POWER TO A VILLAGE OF 1400 PEOPLE DID YOU KNOW? As much as 25% of building energy is wasted. Plug load can account for as much as 20% of the power load in schools.
HOW GREEN ARE WE? WASTE WASTE FACTS AKINS PRODUCES 409,600 CUBIC FEET OF LANDFILL WASTE PER YEAR WHAT ARE WE DOING RIGHT? Akins ranks #2 for high schools in the Texas Disposable Systems Green Solution Challenge. THATS ENOUGH TO FILL 1317 DUMP TRUCKS DID YOU KNOW? In the U.S., 1600 lbs of trash per year is created by the average person. Only 30% is recycled. 10 FEET HIGH THAT COULD FILL A FOOTBALL FIELD THAT WOULD OVERFLOW BARTON SPRINGS POOL
HOW GREEN ARE WE? GREEN SPACES FACTS AKINS HAS 29 ACRES OR 1,263,240 SQ. FT. OF UNUSED LAND WHAT ARE WE DOING RIGHT? Akins has a nice courtyard with some seating, shade, and general gathering purposes. GREEN SPACES DID YOU KNOW? Americans spend 90% of their time indoors. Youth average over 7 hours a day using entertainment media, yet they average only 30 minutes of unstructured play time outdoors per week. IF THIS LAND WAS USED TO GROW PRODUCE, IN ONE YEAR IT WOULD YIELD ENOUGH VEGGIES TO FEED 631 FAMILIES OF FOUR THAT PRODUCE COULD FEED FOR A YEAR 2526 STUDENTS FOR A YEAR THAT PRODUCE COULD PROVIDE FOOD FOR 73% OF AUSTINS HOMELESS
AKINS HIGH SCHOOL AERIAL VIEW 3,850,000 KW/HRS /YR $323,000/YR 16,900 BUS MILES/ YR 270 STUDENTS WITH ASTHMA WRAP-UP 10,695,367 KGAL /YR $46,082/YR 8,120,578 KGAL /YR OF SEWAGE 29.8 TONS OF PLASTIC FOOD WASTE/YR 29 ACRES OF UNUSED GREEN SPACE
We would like to see the school create an ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICE elective that enrolls students to maintain and care for these new systems, as well as further their knowledge and experience of working with the cutting edge environmental design that gives them hands on experience for GREEN-COLLAR jobs. WASTE DECREASED BY 40% REDUCE SOLO DRIVERS FROM 35% TO 10% DEVELOP 20% OF CAMPUS INTO UTILIZED GREEN SPACES OUR 5 YEAR VISION ENERGY USE REDUCED BY 24% WATER USE REDUCED BY 30% 100% OF FOOD WASTE COMPOSTED 15% OF CAFETERIA FOOD SOURCED FROM LOCAL FARMS REDUCED VOC LEVELS FROM CLEANING SUPPLIES BY 80% Being an environmental leader means you make it known that CHANGE is POSSIBLE, you just need to work to make it happen. Nyssa, 17
Adequate levels of daylight can SAVE ENERGY AND ENHANCE LEARNING CONDITIONS. Adding remote sensors, individual controls and task lighting can greatly reduce electricity costs. POTENTIAL SOLUTION: INCREASED SOLAR SHADING Solution Ideas What difference does it make? Cost Maintenance Required Action Required Are We Excited? Admin /Students / External ENERGY Energy Education campaign Allows others to become mindful of their use of energy and participate in reducing Akins energy consumption LOW LOW LOW HIGH HIGH HIGH MED MED MED MED MED MED Drastically reduces the KWH consumed by the school = annual savings Off sets energy consumption and creates a new natural resource learning environment for students Reduces heating and cooling costs Change all the light bulbs to T5 energy saving bulbs Install solar panels Install sun shades on most exposed windows Admin & Students Admin Admin & External Admin & External NOTE: LOW COST < $1000 MED COST = $1000 - $5000 HIGH COST > $5000 ENERGY
Low-flow sinks, waterless urinals and dual-flush toilets REDUCE TOTAL WATER USE BY AS MUCH AS 50%. Toilets that useharvestedrainwaterinsteadofpotable water help ease the strain on municipal water systems. POTENTIAL SOLUTION: RAINWATER CATCHMENT SYSTEM Solution Ideas What difference does it make? Cost Maintenance Required Action Required Are We Excited? Admin /Students / External WATER Water Education campaign Installing Low flow toilets, urinals and sinks Installing Rain Catchment systems Allows others to become mindful of their use of water and participate in conserving Akins water use Reduces water use by 30% Collect and saves water for outdoor and greenhouse irrigation use Creating Gray Water/Wet lands environment Reduces the amount of waste water created by the campus, saves Akins Money and creates a new ecological systems learning environment. Admin & Students Admin & External Admin & Students & External Admin & Students & External LOW LOW LOW HIGH HIGH HIGH HIGHMED MED MED HIGH LOW NOTE: LOW COST < $1000 MED COST = $1000 - $5000 HIGH COST > $5000 WATER
HARDMEDIUMEASY time cost Install a Salad Bar Utilize Biodegradable Plates Food Production Campaign Connecting with Local Farmers Install Solar Panels Energy Education Campaign Utilize T5 Energy Saving Bulbs Install Sun Shades on Exposed Windows Outdoor Structures, Gazebo Install Gardens Dance Floor Power Generator Plant Orchard Recycling bins in Courtyard Install a Compost System in Cafeteria Classroom Paper Recycling Every 6 Weeks Electronics Recycling Collection Points Water Education Campaign Install Low-Flow Toilets, Urinals, Sinks Install Rain Catchment System Create Gray Water/ Wetlands Environment Carpool Campaign Carpool Incentives Bike-to-School Campaign Alternative Fuel Buses Utilize Non-Toxic Cleaning Supplies Install Indoor Plants MASTERPLAN: SOLUTIONS/IMPLEMENTATION WHAT CAN WE DO? 5 YEAR MASTER PLAN
IN 2007, OVER $35 BILLION TAX DOLLARS WERE SPENT ON K-12 CONSTRUCTION. ITS THE LARGEST CONSTRUCTION SECTOR OF THE ECONOMY. The average green school saves $100,000 per year on oper- ating costs. Thats enough to: Hire 2 NEW TEACHERS Buy 200 NEW COMPUTERS Purchase 5000 TEXTBOOKS If all new U.S. school construction and renovation went green today, the total energy savings alone would be $20 BILLION OVER THE NEXT 10 YEARS. GREEN INVESTMENT GREEN SCHOOL COSTS: $3/sq.ft. [or 2%] more than conventional schools GREEN SCHOOL SAVINGS: $7/sq.ft for an upgraded school $70/sq.ft. including indirect savings for the school and community THATS 20 TIMESAS HIGH AS THE COST OF GOING GREEN! NOT TO MENTION... Green schools reduce teacher turnover rates, an expense which costs the nations school districts at least $7.2 billion a year. Green schools increase property values. According to 2005 survey, 87 percent of school executives who have invested in green buildings report improved community image as one of the top benefits of green schools. Well-regarded schools increase property values and encourage business investment and job creation. Students miss more than 14 million school days a year because of asthma exacerbated by poor indoor air quality. This amount equals $1,650 per child costs borne not by the schools but by the students and their families. A recent study found an average reduction of 38.5 percent in asthma in buildings with improved air quality. School custodians, handling toxic cleaners on a daily basis, often suffer from chemical injuries, costing about $25 million each year in workers compensation and lost time.
I love what we are doing taking the little steps necessary for a big change. I mean, Akins might be one school but its in a big district. If we go green, maybe it would INSPIRE other schools to go green too. And we have almost 3,000 students. If we inspire them to go green, thats 3,000+ people helping the environment. We are paying it forward! -Shannon, 17 Being an environmental leader means you make it known that CHANGE is possible, you just need to work to make it happen. -Nyssa, 17 You set the groundwork and motivate people to follow in your path. An environmental LEADER speaks up when they see a bottle being thrown in the trash and when change can be made. -Rebecca, 18 Being an environmental leader makes me feel powerful like anything is possible. I just took part in saving the world with my IDEAS. Sweetness! -Henry, 19 I want to help inform others of the great things they can do to help the environment. If we all do a little bit, then altogether, we can do something BIG! I definitely want to teach my kids (when I have them) to help the environment. ~Karla, 18 Id really love to make an impact on a global scale by changing the way people look at GLOBAL problems. Id like to make people all over the world consider the green way of lifestyle through education. -Yuliya, 16 INSPIRATIONAL LEADERSHIP VOICES - OF THE - FUTURE

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EcoRise Youth Innovations: Eco-Audit (new curriculum sample)

  • 1. AKINS HIGH SCHOOL ECO-AUDIT: A STUDENT-LED ROADMAP TO A GREENER, HEALTHIER SCHOOL IN PARTNERSHIP WITH SPRING 2011
  • 2. FACTS ABOUT AKINS 2700 STUDENTS 80 ACRES BUILT IN 2000 STUDENT-TO-TEACHER RATIO OF 16:1 DIVERSITY 69% LATINO/HISPANIC 17% CAUCASIAN 11% AFRICAN-AMERICAN 3% OTHER STUDENTS ARE EXPOSED TO CAREER PATHWAYS BY ENROLLING IN ONE OF FOLLOWING ACADEMIES: ABLE (ACADEMY OF BUSINESS AND LEGAL ENTERPRISE) AHA (ARTS AND HUMANITIES ACADEMY) SS (SOCIAL SERVICES) ACES (AGRICULTURE, COMPUTER, AND ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES) NTHS (NEW TECH HIGH SCHOOL) T-STEM (TEXAS SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING AND MATHEMATICS) AKINS MISSION STATEMENT The W. Charles Akins High School community educates every student to be self sufficient, strengthens every student to face challenges of mind and heart, and nurtures every student to become a lifelong learner in a diverse world. WHO IS AKINS?
  • 3. IMPROVE PERFORMANCE INCREASE TEACHER RETENTION AND PRODUCTIVITY SAVE MONEY PROMOTE HEALTH Lower energy and water costs, improved teacher retention, and lower health costs directly save green schools about $12 per square foot, four times the additional cost of going green. Financial savings to the broader community are significantly larger, and include lower air and water pollution, and a better educated and compensated workforce. Green schools use daylighting strategies to create environments that lessen distractions and encourage student participation. Students in classrooms with abundant daylight had up to 25 percent higher learning rates and test scores in reading and math than their peers in rooms with less natural light. Schools with environmental education programs increase critical thinking skills and score higher on standardized tests in math, reading, writing and listening. Teachers can use the building as the basis for project-based, experiential learning and STEM education. Studies show that green schools reduce teacher turnover rates by 3% and increase productivity by 3%. Students in America miss approximately 14 million school days per year because of asthma, which is exacerbated by poor indoor air quality. Lower-income and minority children disproportionately suffer from poor indoor air quality and related problems in conventional schools. They are 30-50% more likely to have respiratory problems that lead to increased absenteeism and diminished learning and test scores. Nurses at green schools report fewer clinic visits, students note less eye-nose-throat irritation and fewer asthma-related incidents. WHY GREEN SCHOOLS? 20% of Americas population spends about six hours a day in a school building. DID YOU KNOW? If all new U.S. school construction and renovation went green today, the total energy savings alone would be $20 billionover the next 10 years. Green school buildings: SAVE 30% of energy costs 50% - 90% of waste-removal costs REDUCE 35% of carbon emissions 30% - 50% of water usage
  • 4. HOW GREEN ARE WE? ENERGY ELECTRICITY FACTS 3,850,000 ANNUAL KW/HRS $323,000 SPENT ANNUALLY WHAT ARE WE DOING RIGHT? The A/C is kept off when classes are not in session, and the new T-STEM building reduces energy costs by 24%. THAT MONEY COULD BUY 646 LAPTOPS FOR OUR SCHOOL THAT ENERGY COULD POWER THE COWBOYS STADIUM FOR 45 DAYS STRAIGHT THAT ENERGY COULD PROVIDE A YEAR OF POWER TO A VILLAGE OF 1400 PEOPLE DID YOU KNOW? As much as 25% of building energy is wasted. Plug load can account for as much as 20% of the power load in schools.
  • 5. HOW GREEN ARE WE? WASTE WASTE FACTS AKINS PRODUCES 409,600 CUBIC FEET OF LANDFILL WASTE PER YEAR WHAT ARE WE DOING RIGHT? Akins ranks #2 for high schools in the Texas Disposable Systems Green Solution Challenge. THATS ENOUGH TO FILL 1317 DUMP TRUCKS DID YOU KNOW? In the U.S., 1600 lbs of trash per year is created by the average person. Only 30% is recycled. 10 FEET HIGH THAT COULD FILL A FOOTBALL FIELD THAT WOULD OVERFLOW BARTON SPRINGS POOL
  • 6. HOW GREEN ARE WE? GREEN SPACES FACTS AKINS HAS 29 ACRES OR 1,263,240 SQ. FT. OF UNUSED LAND WHAT ARE WE DOING RIGHT? Akins has a nice courtyard with some seating, shade, and general gathering purposes. GREEN SPACES DID YOU KNOW? Americans spend 90% of their time indoors. Youth average over 7 hours a day using entertainment media, yet they average only 30 minutes of unstructured play time outdoors per week. IF THIS LAND WAS USED TO GROW PRODUCE, IN ONE YEAR IT WOULD YIELD ENOUGH VEGGIES TO FEED 631 FAMILIES OF FOUR THAT PRODUCE COULD FEED FOR A YEAR 2526 STUDENTS FOR A YEAR THAT PRODUCE COULD PROVIDE FOOD FOR 73% OF AUSTINS HOMELESS
  • 7. AKINS HIGH SCHOOL AERIAL VIEW 3,850,000 KW/HRS /YR $323,000/YR 16,900 BUS MILES/ YR 270 STUDENTS WITH ASTHMA WRAP-UP 10,695,367 KGAL /YR $46,082/YR 8,120,578 KGAL /YR OF SEWAGE 29.8 TONS OF PLASTIC FOOD WASTE/YR 29 ACRES OF UNUSED GREEN SPACE
  • 8. We would like to see the school create an ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICE elective that enrolls students to maintain and care for these new systems, as well as further their knowledge and experience of working with the cutting edge environmental design that gives them hands on experience for GREEN-COLLAR jobs. WASTE DECREASED BY 40% REDUCE SOLO DRIVERS FROM 35% TO 10% DEVELOP 20% OF CAMPUS INTO UTILIZED GREEN SPACES OUR 5 YEAR VISION ENERGY USE REDUCED BY 24% WATER USE REDUCED BY 30% 100% OF FOOD WASTE COMPOSTED 15% OF CAFETERIA FOOD SOURCED FROM LOCAL FARMS REDUCED VOC LEVELS FROM CLEANING SUPPLIES BY 80% Being an environmental leader means you make it known that CHANGE is POSSIBLE, you just need to work to make it happen. Nyssa, 17
  • 9. Adequate levels of daylight can SAVE ENERGY AND ENHANCE LEARNING CONDITIONS. Adding remote sensors, individual controls and task lighting can greatly reduce electricity costs. POTENTIAL SOLUTION: INCREASED SOLAR SHADING Solution Ideas What difference does it make? Cost Maintenance Required Action Required Are We Excited? Admin /Students / External ENERGY Energy Education campaign Allows others to become mindful of their use of energy and participate in reducing Akins energy consumption LOW LOW LOW HIGH HIGH HIGH MED MED MED MED MED MED Drastically reduces the KWH consumed by the school = annual savings Off sets energy consumption and creates a new natural resource learning environment for students Reduces heating and cooling costs Change all the light bulbs to T5 energy saving bulbs Install solar panels Install sun shades on most exposed windows Admin & Students Admin Admin & External Admin & External NOTE: LOW COST < $1000 MED COST = $1000 - $5000 HIGH COST > $5000 ENERGY
  • 10. Low-flow sinks, waterless urinals and dual-flush toilets REDUCE TOTAL WATER USE BY AS MUCH AS 50%. Toilets that useharvestedrainwaterinsteadofpotable water help ease the strain on municipal water systems. POTENTIAL SOLUTION: RAINWATER CATCHMENT SYSTEM Solution Ideas What difference does it make? Cost Maintenance Required Action Required Are We Excited? Admin /Students / External WATER Water Education campaign Installing Low flow toilets, urinals and sinks Installing Rain Catchment systems Allows others to become mindful of their use of water and participate in conserving Akins water use Reduces water use by 30% Collect and saves water for outdoor and greenhouse irrigation use Creating Gray Water/Wet lands environment Reduces the amount of waste water created by the campus, saves Akins Money and creates a new ecological systems learning environment. Admin & Students Admin & External Admin & Students & External Admin & Students & External LOW LOW LOW HIGH HIGH HIGH HIGHMED MED MED HIGH LOW NOTE: LOW COST < $1000 MED COST = $1000 - $5000 HIGH COST > $5000 WATER
  • 11. HARDMEDIUMEASY time cost Install a Salad Bar Utilize Biodegradable Plates Food Production Campaign Connecting with Local Farmers Install Solar Panels Energy Education Campaign Utilize T5 Energy Saving Bulbs Install Sun Shades on Exposed Windows Outdoor Structures, Gazebo Install Gardens Dance Floor Power Generator Plant Orchard Recycling bins in Courtyard Install a Compost System in Cafeteria Classroom Paper Recycling Every 6 Weeks Electronics Recycling Collection Points Water Education Campaign Install Low-Flow Toilets, Urinals, Sinks Install Rain Catchment System Create Gray Water/ Wetlands Environment Carpool Campaign Carpool Incentives Bike-to-School Campaign Alternative Fuel Buses Utilize Non-Toxic Cleaning Supplies Install Indoor Plants MASTERPLAN: SOLUTIONS/IMPLEMENTATION WHAT CAN WE DO? 5 YEAR MASTER PLAN
  • 12. IN 2007, OVER $35 BILLION TAX DOLLARS WERE SPENT ON K-12 CONSTRUCTION. ITS THE LARGEST CONSTRUCTION SECTOR OF THE ECONOMY. The average green school saves $100,000 per year on oper- ating costs. Thats enough to: Hire 2 NEW TEACHERS Buy 200 NEW COMPUTERS Purchase 5000 TEXTBOOKS If all new U.S. school construction and renovation went green today, the total energy savings alone would be $20 BILLION OVER THE NEXT 10 YEARS. GREEN INVESTMENT GREEN SCHOOL COSTS: $3/sq.ft. [or 2%] more than conventional schools GREEN SCHOOL SAVINGS: $7/sq.ft for an upgraded school $70/sq.ft. including indirect savings for the school and community THATS 20 TIMESAS HIGH AS THE COST OF GOING GREEN! NOT TO MENTION... Green schools reduce teacher turnover rates, an expense which costs the nations school districts at least $7.2 billion a year. Green schools increase property values. According to 2005 survey, 87 percent of school executives who have invested in green buildings report improved community image as one of the top benefits of green schools. Well-regarded schools increase property values and encourage business investment and job creation. Students miss more than 14 million school days a year because of asthma exacerbated by poor indoor air quality. This amount equals $1,650 per child costs borne not by the schools but by the students and their families. A recent study found an average reduction of 38.5 percent in asthma in buildings with improved air quality. School custodians, handling toxic cleaners on a daily basis, often suffer from chemical injuries, costing about $25 million each year in workers compensation and lost time.
  • 13. I love what we are doing taking the little steps necessary for a big change. I mean, Akins might be one school but its in a big district. If we go green, maybe it would INSPIRE other schools to go green too. And we have almost 3,000 students. If we inspire them to go green, thats 3,000+ people helping the environment. We are paying it forward! -Shannon, 17 Being an environmental leader means you make it known that CHANGE is possible, you just need to work to make it happen. -Nyssa, 17 You set the groundwork and motivate people to follow in your path. An environmental LEADER speaks up when they see a bottle being thrown in the trash and when change can be made. -Rebecca, 18 Being an environmental leader makes me feel powerful like anything is possible. I just took part in saving the world with my IDEAS. Sweetness! -Henry, 19 I want to help inform others of the great things they can do to help the environment. If we all do a little bit, then altogether, we can do something BIG! I definitely want to teach my kids (when I have them) to help the environment. ~Karla, 18 Id really love to make an impact on a global scale by changing the way people look at GLOBAL problems. Id like to make people all over the world consider the green way of lifestyle through education. -Yuliya, 16 INSPIRATIONAL LEADERSHIP VOICES - OF THE - FUTURE